October 19, 200421 yr MLB.COM MIAMI -- When the 2004 season opened, the Marlins anticipated big things from catcher Ramon Castro. Because Castro had an abundance of power, the team projected him to belt between 15 and 20 home runs while picking up some of the offensive slack lost when Ivan Rodriguez signed as a free agent with the Tigers. But the expected super season for Castro never materialized. Though he won the starting job out of Spring Training, the 28-year-old floundered early, then went on the disabled list with inflammation in the big toe on his right foot on June 2. He never returned to the active roster. On Monday, the Marlins announced that Castro elected free agency after being outrighted to Triple-A Albuquerque, thus ending his tenure as a Marlin. Castro was reinstated from the 60-day disabled list on Oct. 6 and outrighted to Albuquerque on Oct. 8, but now he can negotiate with any team that is interested. Castro had surgery on his toe in September. The native of Puerto Rico, who as a teenager was a teammate of Rodriguez's, played in just 32 games in 2004, batting .135 with three home runs and eight RBIs. In December he is scheduled to stand trial for sexual assault charges stemming from his arrest in Pittsburgh in August 2003. In other moves announced on Monday, right-handed reliever Billy Koch was released from the organization, effective Oct. 6. On Oct. 4, right-handed pitcher Aaron Small was outrighted to Albuquerque, but he also elected free agency. In addition, on Oct. 14, the Marlins selected the contracts of minor league infielders Joe Dillon and Derek Wathan. Both were added to the 40-man roster. Koch was acquired on June 17 from the White Sox for minor league infielder Wilson Valdez. A former standout closer for the Blue Jays and A's, Koch has struggled with his control the past few seasons. While he was throwing 95-plus mph, he tended to be wild. In 23 games with the Marlins, he was 1-2 with a 3.51 ERA. Koch struck out 25 and walked 20 in 25 2/3 innings. For his career, he has 163 saves in 193 opportunities. Before being traded to the Marlins, Koch was 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in 24 games with the White Sox, saving eight games in 11 chances. Koch's final appearance with the Marlins was on Aug. 26 against the Giants, when he gave up one run on one hit with three walks, two strikeouts and a wild pitch in two-thirds of an inning. Shortly after that outing, Koch was excused from the team for personal reasons. He wasn't with the club in the final month because he returned to his home in the Tampa Bay area to tend to family matters. Small, who appeared in seven games with the Marlins, spent most of the season in Triple-A. With the Marlins, he was 0-0 with an 8.27 ERA, giving up 15 runs in 16 1/3 innings of relief. By adding Dillon and Wathan to the 40-man roster, the Marlins' roster now stands at 40. Dillon is an interesting prospect. At 28, he came out of retirement after beginning his professional career in the Royals and Twins' organizations. He belted 30 homers while driving in 86 runs and batting .325 for Albuquerque. Wathan, the son of former Major Leaguer John Wathan, hit .302 with 10 homers and 47 RBIs in 106 games for the Isotopes. Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
October 19, 200421 yr Oh well, interesting Marlins select Wathan's contract. Really hadn't heard of him before.
October 19, 200421 yr Oh well, interesting Marlins select Wathan's contract. Really hadn't heard of him before. 595709[/snapback] I wouldn't be shocked if he were to make the team as a utility man sometime down the road. He can play pretty much everywhere, and has hit pretty well in AAA.
October 19, 200421 yr Oh well, interesting Marlins select Wathan's contract. Really hadn't heard of him before. 595709[/snapback] yeah, me either.
October 19, 200421 yr Well, I can't say I'm sad to see any of them go. Best of luck to all three in the future, though.
October 19, 200421 yr We would ahve lost Wathan and Dillon this offseason had we not added them. The 40-man roster needs to be purged a bit more. Manzy, Perisho, Harris, Neu.. if asked back would be spring training invites.
October 19, 200421 yr Other roster moves. ESPN reports: Marlins sign OF Jesus Christ to minor league contract. Marlins trade OF Juan Encarnacion to Rockies for Potato Chip. Marlins sign C Cookie Monster to 1 year. :plain
October 19, 200421 yr I wouldn't be shocked or upset to see Koch come back. Harris needs to be taken off the 40 man and just be a ST invite. I'm interested to see what Dillon can bring if he makes the club next year.
October 19, 200421 yr Without another lefty in sight I don't the value in purging Perisho from the 40 man roster.
October 19, 200421 yr Other roster moves. ESPN reports: Marlins sign OF Jesus Christ to minor league contract. Marlins trade OF Juan Encarnacion to Rockies for Potato Chip. Marlins sign C Cookie Monster to 1 year. :plain 595897[/snapback] LMAO, great post glad to see someone on this message board has as ense of humor. And for all you Billy Koch lovers, please accept it he sucks...he sucked last year and he sucked this year! hopefully the red sox or yanks pick him up lol
October 19, 200421 yr finally the marlins saw the light and let go of billy koch... 596149[/snapback] i couldnt agree more. he was awful
October 19, 200421 yr I wouldn't be shocked or upset to see Koch come back. Harris needs to be taken off the 40 man and just be a ST invite. I'm interested to see what Dillon can bring if he makes the club next year. 595975[/snapback] Speaking of ST...when will the schedule come out???
October 19, 200421 yr I would like to see Koch come back as a ST invite. I think we could sign him to a one year deal and get some serious value out of him. His problem is mechanics and balance - not too hard to figure out and he seems to be a competitive guy who would want to work hard. At least as a set up guy. Lot of change this offseason. Makes me wonder...
October 19, 200421 yr I would like to see Koch come back as a ST invite. I think we could sign him to a one year deal and get some serious value out of him. His problem is mechanics and balance - not too hard to figure out and he seems to be a competitive guy who would want to work hard. At least as a set up guy. Lot of change this offseason. Makes me wonder... 596190[/snapback] :thumbup
October 19, 200421 yr Who else didn't think the Koch trade was going to be a flop in the first place? Hey Billy, go to the Phillies or Braves please.
October 19, 200421 yr Who else didn't think the Koch trade was going to be a flop in the first place? Hey Billy, go to the Phillies or Braves please. 596200[/snapback] I hope he doesn't go to the Braves because you just know that Mazzone would get to him and he would all of a sudden be one of the better middle relievers in the game. The deal was still worth the risk and I don't have any problems with it. Valdez was never going to do much for this organization at the big league level.
October 19, 200421 yr Who else didn't think the Koch trade was going to be a flop in the first place? Hey Billy, go to the Phillies or Braves please. 596200[/snapback] I hope he doesn't go to the Braves because you just know that Mazzone would get to him and he would all of a sudden be one of the better middle relievers in the game. The deal was still worth the risk and I don't have any problems with it. Valdez was never going to do much for this organization at the big league level. 596315[/snapback] the deal was worth it but damn Koch sucks
October 19, 200421 yr I would like to see Koch come back as a ST invite. I think we could sign him to a one year deal and get some serious value out of him. His problem is mechanics and balance - not too hard to figure out and he seems to be a competitive guy who would want to work hard. At least as a set up guy. 596190[/snapback] You would think we'd bring him back, especially if we lose Benitez and Mota continues his slide. I think he was deep in Jack's doghouse though.
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